'It was not safe because of falling tiles'

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Residents stay in the shelter at Longmen township, one of the worst-hit areas. Feng Yongbin / China Daily

Editor's note: Zhang Chuhan, 19-year-old art design freshman, was on a drawing trip with 166 fellow students from the Yinxing Hospitality Management College of Chengdu University of Information Technology in Shangli Ancient Town, when Saturday's earthquake hit Lushan county. The town is on the north side of Ya'an city, and 27 km away from the epicenter.

It was reported that more than 1,000 art students from various universities were in the town for similar drawing tours.

Zhang shared her experience with China Daily's Luo Wangshu:

I never felt so close to death.

I was sleeping when the quake occurred. The bed was swaying and I suddenly realized it was an earthquake.

I jumped out of my bed and headed to the door immediately. Then I realized I was almost naked.

I grabbed my clothes, slippers and mobile phone, running as I put my shirt on.

My fellow classmates were knocking on our doors and shouted for us to run. My roommate and I stayed on the second floor of a three-story building in Shangpin Tree Garden. The hotel is made of wood with a tile roof. As we were running, tiles were falling off, the roof was cracking, and I was so scared. I thought I might die. I saw falling tiles cut a girl's face as I ran past.

Five years ago during the Wenchuan earthquake, I was a middle school student. I still remember the fear and helplessness.

The feelings came back to me again at once. The shock lasted about 20 seconds, but it felt like a lifelong call from a demon.

When I got to the courtyard, I stopped running but my legs still shook. The tiles were still falling in front of my face and around my feet.

Then I took a deep breath and became a little calm, I made a few calls to my families. I reached my mom and told her that I was ok. But when I tried to call my dad, I couldn't get through.

Fortunately I could use text messages, WeChat and weibo.

My classmate Li Zhizhu posted an SOS message online, telling the public that over a thousand students were trapped here. We left three mobile numbers.

We received many calls. I really appreciated that.

We stayed in the courtyard for a while but it was not safe there because of more falling tiles.

Our teachers took us to the bank of a river outside of the hotel. Her phone fell into the river while she ran. We were sitting along the bank. Some girls were weeping, and some were talking, sharing information, and hugging each other.

Shangi is a beautiful and cozy town. We came here on the 15th and planned to leave today at 9:30 am. But the school bus couldn't make it on time because of the quake. The traffic was clogged.

I was very scared that if we couldn't leave here before dark. It has been raining every night here and we were afraid that the rain will cause landslides.

We stayed along the bank till 11 am, waiting for help. Then we moved to a playground that was more open, and considered safer.

The school bus finally arrived to pick us up at around noon. The school also brought some biscuits and water for us.

On the way from Shangli Ancient Town to Chengdu, I saw a few crumbling houses. It was so sad.

The traffic was not bad. We arrived at school about 3:30 pm.

All I want now is to return to my dorm, lay on the bed, call my families and friends - and shout to them I am back safely.

Contact the writer through luowangshu@chinadaily.com.cn.